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Celtic were faced by Phoenix FC in the Cox Cup Final in the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh. Celtic had beaten Phoenix in the league 3 months earlier by 2-0, however we did not expect an easy game as the Ashtown side strengthened their squad since and have put a good run together in the league. We started brightly playing the ball forward quickly but the Phoenix defence was doing well. Both sides were playing good passing football in the middle of the pitch but could not create any chances. Celtic’s first chance came from left wing when Dino Dervisic played ball to Klevis Malaj who saw his effort go wide. Few minutes later Dino Dervisic got the ball outside the box and tried to curl it around the post but again it went wide. match action
Phoenix had a good chance but their effort hit the side net. Shaun Odusole had the best chance of the match when he went 1 v 1 with the keeper, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Phoenix captain and the man of the match. Ciaran Murray got on the end of a Dervisic pass and his long range effort hit the crossbar. Odusole followed up but his header went over the bar. more match action
Celtic’s midfield of Olti Berisha and Robert Best worked very hard trying to contain the very good Phoenix midfielders who were comfortable passing the ball around. Celtic won a corner but Weston Wandanda had his effort saved again by the keeper.
A few minutes before half time Phoenix played a good ball forward. Despite having had few chances in that first half, they got their noses in front when their striker lobbed the ball over the Celtic keeper.
The second half was pretty much the same. Phoenix controlled the ball but Celtic were pressing and at every opportunity when they won the ball they got the ball forward and created chances. Castleknock were pressing and pushing more players forward looking for the equaliser but no luck. As a result their defenders found themselves outnumbered on occasions but they did very well to stop Phoenix scoring a second goal. Eoin O'Connell, Sam Doherty, Hammad Siddiqui and Beni Lankumu did very well at the back. Next big chance was when Shaun Odusole broke through and keeper came out of the box and fouled him. Referee gave Celtic a free kick on the edge of the box but surprisingly did not even book the keeper even though he was the last defender!!!
John Kane stepped up but his effort went over the bar. Probably one of the best chances came in the dying minutes of the match. Klevis Malaj dipped the ball over the keeper and it was heading into the goal but suddenly a Phoenix defender came out of nowhere and cleared the ball off the line.
Unfortunately that was to be last action of the match. The Celtic boys did everything they could but it was not enough to bring the cup home, Congratulations to Phoenix players and their coaching team! 0-1
